<p>i was recently arrested for being a minor under the influence - this was not while driving (NON TRAFFIC). i will spare the details for identity reasons so, please don’t right off the bat jump to certain conclusions.</p>
<p>i’m going to court in a couple of weeks and because of my backround they might actually forgive me this first time, erase it, bring it down to a lesser charger, etc.</p>
<p>the issue is that i’m currently applying to summer jobs and some applications ask whether i’ve “been convicted of any crimes” and a few variations of the question. </p>
<p>i’m stumped on what to do? i have not yet been convicted of anything and the charge might be thrown out (~i’m not using the exact and correct legal terms here so bear with me). i want to be honest but, at the same time i don’t really want to be too honest or give too much info if too much info is not needed.</p>
<p>the jobs i’m applying for are server, cashier, dishwasher, etc…nothign glamarous so, how many of these establishments actaully do backround checks on prospective employees for the type of positions listed above?</p>
<p>and if anyone knows a good legal advice forum please feel free to post it.</p>
<p>parents which are lawyers, your advice is greatly appreciated and so is everyone’s else.</p>
<p>If the question is “Have you been convicted of a crime?” you may honestly answer “no” at this point. If the application asks if you’ve ever been arrested, then you answer must be “yes.” Yes, I am a parent, and a lawyer with a criminal law background. I’ll spare you the lecture about under-aged drinking at this point, but at some point (college apps if you haven’t yet applied) you will be asked whether you’ve ever been arrested and unless this arrest has been totally expunged, you may well have some explaining to do.</p>
<p>As far as background checks are concerned, businesses will often check for positions such as waiter/waitress & cashiers - anyone that handles cash or credit cards. Some businesses require those holding these positions to be bonded, and the bonding company will also do a background check. I’m not sure what effect a juvenile conviction might have; that varies from state to state.</p>
<p>i’m already in college so i am not a juvenile. i guess i’m a minor by the fact that i’m under 21.</p>
<p>do you recommend getting a lawyer? i actually am a very good kid ~ i guess this states otherwise ~ so would bringing evidence of this be enough or if i actually want to lessen the charge or erase it i should definitely get a lawyer? this also happened at college - in another state than my home state - so if i get a lawyer i should probably get someone from that state.</p>
<p>My sister has lived in several college towns. She has no children of her own but over the years she has been called over 20 times by friends who have had children with this type of charge. (My sister works for the govt but not in the court itself) No one had ever asked her to try to get their kid off but for advice or a few times to go bail them out.
If it is in your college town go to your school and ask someone for advice. You will not be the first to have this happen. Also you can do an internet search using the code of what you have been charged with and you might be able to get some info on what the procedure will be and also what the fine will be. You could also look if your town has a Council on Alcohol and drug abuse and call them and ask for advice. I know here they have someone who is a court advisor to help them through the hearing.
I am sure it is different in each state. But I know in our state or county if you don’t have an attorney when you go that morning to court there will be a public defender who will advise you.
My friend’s son had a ticket for drunk in public. He went to court without an attorney. He had a public defender. It was a first offense and it was knocked down to be a public disturbance and he had to pay a large fine and do community service.</p>
<p>Just because this happened doesn’t mean you’re not a good kid. You are not the first college student to have this happen. It is unfortunate, but you will be fine.</p>
<p>My son’s GF has been talking to law school admissions reps and she was suprised to hear how many applicants have had alcohol violations.</p>
<p>get a lawyer. you will probably be charged money to talk to someone for this but it is worth it. ask around and get some names first and someone may give you advice for free or for very little. my husband gets up in court with young people often. however he does not return the calls of people whom he considers to be problem drinkers or without remorse or overly entitled. my husband is called a couple times a year by friends whose kids have been pulled for driving underage or for merely being under the influence underage. proper representation is important so you have every resource to do diversion to prove you are trustworthy and to make sure you are going to have a shot at a clean record.<br>
also keep in mind that criminal records are cumulative. we are all in accidents and we all make mistakes. many of us used alcohol before the age of 21. letting anything get on your record when you have an option is worth the trouble. And going to the trouble sometimes helps you realize you don’t want to be arrested or ticketed a second time.<br>
take this seriously however. a clean record is important. the last time I waited tables a zillion years ago near Vandy I had to not only cough up my record but take a lie detector test and they asked EVERYTHING. Have you ever taken five cents that didn’t belong to you, have you smoked pot, how many beers have you had in the last seven days.</p>
<p>Call the local bar association where the offense occured and ask if it has a legal referall service. If so, get the names of a couple of attorneys. Usually, there’s a flat fee for an initial consultation. Have all your facts and questions ready before you go. </p>
<p>Also, if you haven’t already done so, tell your parents. It’s inevitable that some day, they will find out. Unless you have a HORRIBLE relationship with them, it’s best to tell them now. Hearing it from you will be painful, but it will be worse if they hear from someone else.</p>